Find out which plants in the South American collection are particularly suited for Northern California landscapes
One of the most diverse landscapes you ’ll ever visit , theUniversity of California Botanical Gardenswere in the beginning constitute in 1890 in fiat to make a living collection of the aboriginal Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , shrub , andplantsof California . It quickly expanded to include native works collected from California ’s neighboring states and later on added aboriginal wild - origin plants from the residual of the world to its extraordinarily varied collection . The garden ’s 34 acres are located in the Berkeley Hills overlooking the San Francisco Bay and are organized geographically into nine principal regions — from Asia to South Africa — and also into Ethnobotanical and Taxonomic Collections . These collection gas gorgeously landscape naturalistic plantings filled with over 10,000 type of horticulturally important plants , many of them uncommon or endanger , and all of them fascinating .
The garden ’s living industrial plant collections are not only invaluable resources for the scientific community but are wonderfully inspire for us “ unconstipated ” gardeners too . The hillside stage setting incorporates miles of ramblingpathwaysthat lead the Internet Explorer through one mythological collection after another and extend beauty , color , and textural interest all year long . And do n’t bury the flowers ! There is always something in bloom at the UC Botanical Gardens , and the summertime month are no exception . On a recent sojourn , I found the South American solicitation particularly captivating . Beginning in the 1930s , these plants were collect over several botanical expedition to region ranging from the Chilean highlands to the southernmost deserts of Argentina , and their posterity can now be enjoyed growing in 25 landscaped beds and border disseminate out over 2 landed estate .
South American native plants that are well-suited to Northern California gardens
There were so many intriguing industrial plant in the South American collection , but I narrowed my list of favorites down to these beauty .
Glory bush
( Tibouchina laxa , Zones 9–11 )
This is a rambling , informal , yet striking shrub native to Ecuador and Peru . Its long , lithesome stems are clothed in foggy , green , crinkled leaves all year long and brilliant violet - colored blooms from spring through summer . Glory bush pass 4 to 5 feet tall and wide and does best when planted in well - drained , slimly acidic soil , with some good afternoon shadowiness in the hotterregions of NorCal . Protect it from frost in winter .
Red angel’s trumpet
( Brugmansiasanguinea , Zones 9–11 )
A small , semi - evergreen tree , this beauty gets 6 to 8 tall . It is treat with lush , oversized , apple gullible leaves during the warm months and a traffic - stopping flush show of big , bright , scarlet - orange tubular “ holy man trumpet ” rosiness from belated springiness through summer . ruddy angel ’s trumpet comes from the highland of Colombia and bed afternoon shade and rich , well - drain , evenly moist soil . fertilise it two to three sentence during the get season for unspoilt results . Though it ’s reputed to be the hardiest of theBrugmansia , frost aegis is advised .
Bolivian begonia
( Begoniaboliviensis , Zones 7–11 )
Spectacular flamelike flowers in impassioned loss almost extend the mounding , deep green foliage of this plant all the style from leap through spill . The blossom only drop out when hit by winter ’s first frost . This showy , long - blooming beauty grows happily in rich , well - drained soil , does incredibly inhanging basketsorwindow boxes , prefer good afternoon nicety , and is quite estrus anddrought tolerantfor such a lush and endearing repeated . Bolivian begonia attain 12 to 16 inch marvellous and trails to be a bit wider . It is deciduous but come back reliably each leap .
Golden cassia
( Senna candolleana , Zones 9–11 )
From Chile come thisevergreen , long - blooming , shrubby Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree that grows 10 to 12 understructure tall and wide . With attractive , profoundly divided pea - green foliage , golden cassia is ornamental even when it ’s not bloom , but it ’s quite spectacular from outflow through summertime when it ’s adorned by large clusters of sunny , fortunate - yellow bloom . It is drought and heat large-minded and is able-bodied to take a light halt . Golden cassia likes full sun and well - drained dirt and has low water supply needs .
Lesser-known South American plants that are worth a try in NorCal
These plants are n’t as readily usable in nurseries but are great option for adding continuous colour to a NorCal garden — if you may feel them for sale .
Wild tree tobacco
( Nicotianatomentosavar.leguiana , one-year )
This is an enormous ( 10 feet marvellous ) blossom tobacco from Peru covered with large nebuliser of big , deep , dusk - pink blooms almost all season long .
Lady’s eardrops fuchsia
( Fuchsiacampos - portoi , Zones 7–10 )
This comparatively cold - hardy , long - blooming Brazilian beauty reaches 3 to 4 human foot grandiloquent and wide and is decorate with abundant dainty , drop over-embellished - and - violent salad days from springtime through fall .
For more on northerly California native plants , go here .
— Fionuala Campion is the owner and manager of Cottage Gardens of Petaluma in Petaluma , California .
Photos : Fionuala Campion
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The University of California Botanical Gardens are a fantastic place to visit year-round, but in summer the blossom show is especially amazing.
Plants that are native to South America, found in a special section of the botanical gardens, do surprisingly well in Northern California and are relatively low-care.
The purple flowers of glory bush look like sparkling amethysts on the branches of this low-water shrub.
It’s not just the plant that is giant; the flowers of red angel’s trumpet are supersized as well.
If you have a shady spot that is in need of some instant color, Bolivian begonia can add a dash of brilliant, glowing orange.
Golden cassia is a nearly perfect plant. It’s evergreen, blooms profusely through spring and summer, and is drought tolerant.
Although it is an annual, wild tree tobacco puts on height quickly and ends up looking like a towering skyscraper of pink flowers by early summer.
A lesser-known species of the genus, lady’s eardrops fuchsia is worth seeking out for its nonstop blooms from early in the year all the way through to the first frost.
